28. His rich aunt
After Cyril Hare
Hilary Smith belonged to a good family. His father never failed to mention the fact. Unfortunately, he had some troubles with the bank and was sent off to Australia. He did not like Australia and Australia did not like him.
Therefore he was eager to return to England. He could not earn enough money to book his passage. So he had to wait until liis father and his brother died. They fortunately did it at the same time.
He received all the money that belonged to a good family and soon spent it. When all the money had been spent, Hilary could do one of the two things. He could die or work. Neither of these gave him any pleasure. Then he remembered that he had a rich aunt.
She was his father's only sister. Hilary found out her address. The old lady was glad to see her only nephew. Unfortunately, she was seriously ill. The doctor told Hilary that nothing could cure the old lady. Hilary was afraid to remain in the hard world alone. So he chose a moment when his aunt was feeling much better than usual and asked her for details of her will.
The old woman told her nephew that she made a will when she was a young girl. She was very religious and left all her money to some religious people in China. She didn't make any other will.
The next day Hilary found out that when a woman got married, an earlier will lost its value. A new will must be made, the money goes to the nearest relation. His future was safe.
Hilary badly needed money, he owed a lot to shopkeepers, who trusted him because his aunt was rich. It was impossible for Hilary to speak with his aunt about money. She got very bad and got angry when money was mentioned. One morning she told Hilary that she was going to send for her lawyer to make a new will. Hilary was afraid that she wanted to leave all her money to somebody else. So he took a decision. Every night his aunt took some medicine to make her sleep. Hilary decided to double the portion. He could put her to sleep forever.
He put some more medicine into the glass. His aunt took the glass and looked at Hilary. She thanked her nephew and said:
"If I am alive tomorrow, I shall change the will in your favor. If I die tonight, you will get nothing."
She explained to her nephew that she had never been married, so her first will did not lose its value. Hilary tried to take the glass away but the old lady raised it and drank.
Find the following word combinations in the text:
никогда не упускал случая упомянуть; был выслан в Австралию; поэтому; купить билет на пароход; в одно и то же время; вскоре потратил их; имел богатую тетушку; ее единственный племянник; выбрал момент; чем обычно; оставила вес свои деньги; ближайший родственник; доверял
436
437
ему;
послать за своим адвокатом; принимала
лекарство; удвоить порцию; изменю
завещание; не потеряла силы (значения);
подняла его.
Answer the questions:
What was Hilary Smith?
Why was he eager to return to England?
Who died on the same day?
What did Hilary do when all the money was spent?
Why was his aunt glad to sec Hilary?
What did she tell her nephew?
Why was it impossible for Hilary to speak with his aunt about money?
What decision did Hilary take?
What did his aunt explain to him?
10. Why did the old lady raise the glass and drink it?
Finish the sentences:
Hilary Smith belonged to...
He had to wait...
When all the money was spent...
He remembered that...
The old lady was...
Hilaiy asked her...
His aunt informed him...
Hilaiy thought of...
He doubled the portion of...
His aunt told him...
She raised the glass and
WORD LIST:
никогда не упускал случая упомянуть...
к счастью
завещание
религиозный
ценность, значение
родственник
удвоить
доверять
never failed to mention...
fortunately
will
religious
value
relation
to double
to trust
438